The decent on Edinburg

Friday morning was a bit rainy for us in Germany. But we had plenty of time to drive to the airport and prep for our solo journey. We were flying Ryan air. They are known for being a bargain airline which often equates to zero perks. My expectations were low which worked out in my favor (secret to a happy life right?). As they let us board as part of priority so we all sat together. The boys were wonderful and stayed close to me. Nick was a huge help keeping track of Shane (and his milk jug!)


Nick loves to look out the window, can you imagine, so does Shane!


It was wonderful seeing Chris at the other end. He immediately took control and lead us to the bus system. I love being with him and how simple he makes travel seem. I was also shocked at his Owen Wilson resemblance. Now, I happen to think Owen Wilson is a good looking guy, so as Chris's hair gets longer (due to an inability to spend time at the worlds slowest haircutter-no not me!) he opts not to shave, and his face gets sun kissed from the St. Andrews weather, he looks like true relaxation and I love it. Just the vacation I wanted him to enjoy.


We hoped on the bus for our 20 minute ride and who should fall asleep? Or flat was right downtown (above two bars in the west end). It was a happening place. Thankfully we were all tired at the end of the day so the late night Scottish did not keep us up! But we did forget to wind shane's clock back one hour. 5:30 is not the best wake up time. I noticed that no one gets up until 10 in Scotland!!


Saturday we hit the road for some good old fashioned touring. We strolled along the royal mile checking out the palace and the grounds (the royal mil e is located along a royal hill. Nothing compared to what the golfers had been knocking out. Here is breakfast in town including Scottish haggish-Shane and I both tried it .....and than avoided it....





Nicks reaction made this street preformer a true entertainment

What was once a sacred church is now The Hub. A place to purchase tickets for local shows etc...


A quick lunch where nick and Shane really enjoyed some muscles...


The best part was eating them out of the shell.


We literally stumbled on a scottish military parade. They were retiring colors from several regiments and the Queen of England was there as well! What a treat!


The ceremony was 2 1/2 hours long. The soldiers stood on the field in full scottish uniform the entire time, meanwhile the boys were running through the grass. Why not right?

The afternoon ended with some yummy chocolate ice cream. Gomba has a soft spot for stuff like that


Shane didn't want any.....


When we got home, nick was teaching goomba a lesson or two about Cover Orange, his favorite iPad game.


Sunday morning, Wyland and Don took the train back to London where they would depart from on Tuesday. Wyland loves to get a jump on the day, so I was impressed we were able to restrain them until 8:15.

On our way to the tour bus, we could resist a little construction work.


Now that is quite a crane.... They are working on Sunday!!





We walked up here yesterday, today we were busing it, much better idea in my book





Nick enjoyed listening along to the tourist stories. Shocked he chose english?


Shane opted for a nap... We were traveling, so he has learned to "take'em when you need 'em"


We devoured our lunch along the north sea in a town called leith.


Muscles again? Of course!





Another day that commenced laying in the park with some chocolate ice cream. Thanks goomba!





We packed our days full! That afternoon we linked up with Jason who had been touring other golf courses with some buddies he met out here last year. Jason and Chris took the boys to a playground while my dad and I hopped back on the bus for little souvenir shopping. We had spent the passed few days scoping out the shops, so it was a simple task to hit all the right shops for kilts, scotch, cashmere etc!

That night was an early evening as it was time to pack up and head out the next morning. It's always a bit bitter sweet to see a vacation come to an end. Hopefully thought of then daily grind is revived. We truly loved every second with our family. Thankfully the goodbyes were simple as we will be seeing them all again as we venture to the states at the end of this month.

Cheers!

St. Andrews

Great artistic photo jason and perfect for the start of the golfing blog...

Everyone arrived on Monday to the Edinburg airport via air and rail. The weather was horrible (or typical for Scotland) cold and rainy! Everyone was thinking about that cold rain gear they packed. However, this rain and chilly weather would end that night and the skies would prove to be beautiful for the entire trip! (the rain gear can be returned with tags on!)

The crew headed to the Fairmont hotel which would serve as home base for the next several days. They gathered over a yummy meal of fish and chips and discussed the adventures ahead.

Tuesday was the first day on the links.

First course, Lundin links. It was noted as a true scottish course, one the locals used. Beautiful and not as touristy. (founded in 1868)




Here are the boys! Alex, Wyland, Les, Jason, Chris, and Don. I loved the personality mix of this crew. Everyone was so different but yet all fit in the puzzle.

One of the highlights was this charming, traditional Scottish club house, perfect for the post golf lunch hour food and drinks.




Jason, Chris, Don, and Alex



Toss in the two dads on either end



From what I understand, the sand traps were rather significant, this might be attempt #1, 2, or 3.....


no carts - only pushing.

pretty sure that sand trap is talker than you Jay - now which way are you supposed to hit the ball?? 

I believe every night ended with a deserving glass of scotch. No carts allowed, so it was a great deal of walking!



Day #2. The old course. There is so much pomp and circumstance that surrounds playing this course. Whether it's reserving a tee time a year in advance, going through a daily ballot or really just showing up and getting lucky. Any approach has proven success. For our group, two folks succeed in the ballot process, and two others were able to walk on, thus completing the foursome for a beautiful afternoon of golf. Tee time was 2:30. Thankfully they were able to hit their way through 18 holes.

Because of the later tee time, the group opted to play 18 holes at the Fairmont that morning. Here they are starting out their day, not to shabby for a 2nd tier course.




At this time of year, golfers can play until 10pm as it it truly stays light that long!-as long as your legs don't give out first.

Here is the start of the classic Old Course. This course was 'granted' to the people in the 1100s by King David the 1st of Scotland. It was originally 22 holes but reduced to 18, as they say that is how many shots exist in a scotch bottle.

Ready boys?











The picture perfect swing (in my book at least, he is my husband!)



The group was surprised by the course layout. Almost every hole shares a green with another hole as well as a fairway. What that means to non-golfers, there were several groups on one hole at the same time often swinging the club in different directions headed to different end point. Incredibly confusing. I imagine that might be why they insist you carry a registered handicap. They want to make sure you know what you are doing.



This is a photo of the famous bridge on the 18th hole.



Picture 1 on the bridge by Les Carlson....



Picture 2 on the bridge by Wyland Leadbetter (yes, if this were 6 women we would have surely flagged down another golfer to capture us all..... But hey, there is photo shop right?)



The final few strokes for the day. 36 holes later... And 7pm. Kudos to Don and Alex (our most 'experienced' golfers) for their motivation through all 36 holes. They allowed the younger boys no mercy.





The final day was Kingsbarn. This course was voted best among everyone. The layout was truly beautiful and ambiance was the absolute compliment. The sun stayed out the entire time with clouds that floated by occasionally.














 

The Yankees don't have a shot with these two;)











The consensus at the end of the day over a couple pints was Kingsbarn is the greatest course in the world.



Cheers to a wonderful golfing adventure. Thanks to Alex, Don, Jason, Les, and Wyland for making this a truly memorable trip.



On Friday Jason, Les, Wyland and Don all headed back to Kingsbarn for another round while Alex headed home and Chris ventured to Edinburg to set up our flat and prep for the little dudes arrival.

Week 26 and solo

On Monday Chris headed out to join the golfing crew in St. Andrews Scotland. His flight was 2 hours. His father, my father, his uncle Alex, our brother-in-law Jason and a close family friend Don Hazen would all be joining him after much longer stateside journeys. (more photos to come!)

I planned this birthday celebration for Chris months ago. (before I was even pregnant) as my plan included my mom being out of school and joining me in Germany! Guess that's what I get for getting knocked-up. I am much more in need of her help this fall;) so she stayed in CT and enjoyed a week with my sister and her sweet girls.

I tried to keep busy and not wear myself out, not easy to do! It was hot hot hot in Germany!! Nick and I slept in the basement together (the best air conditioning) one night as he was asleep rolling around behind me, I could feel our other little boy rolling in a different direction (inside my bellie). What a sweet moment.

Now speaking of belie gymnastics, this little one is full of them.   Seriously? 26 weeks! But let me tell you, it feels like 36. I'm tired by the end of the day (and sometimes the end of the day is 10am....) Pour Chris stays up solo must nights as i cannot keep my eyes open. The little one feels HUGE and boy is he moving. This is the stage where there must be TONS of room in my belly becuase he isn't just kicking, he is doing gymnastics. I do enjoy feel the little one move and even Nick has enjoyed a kick or two. He is too cute rubbing the bellie and talking about life with the new baby......



 

I promised myself I would slow down and enjoy this final pregnancy, but why in the pace of life is that just impossible?? My doctor keeps reminding me that every pregnancy is different and I may just have to be more careful this time as I have been feeling contractions and have had a few other complications.

 

I love teaching body pump as i have the most wonderful ladies (and sometimes men) in my class. They love seeing my bellie get bigger and I have even attracted some pregnant ladies too. Even one who is on the same week as I.  Maybe I have given her a bit of the 'drive on' spirit as we both struggle through limitations and back pain together - but I love her enthusiasim as well.  We all need eachother right?

My 'me time' this week was the Aveda salon and my favorite place of relaxation. Nick snapped this photo of me with the iPhone. I feel like I actually look relaxed in it. I need to keep it around as a reminder;)

After this photo, I actually scooped the kids up and headed to the memingen airport (by munich) on our way to Edinburg, Scotland, this is our stateside training flight. It's only 2 hours 20 minutes, so perfect for me to get out the kinks before hopping the 8 hour flight with Nicole (who I couldn't be more thankful to be traveling with!!)

Alright, onto St. Andrews....